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The car receiving the new clutch was a high-mileage ’83 Scirocco. It was time—pa
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Scott also had to disconnect the battery power wire to the starter, the clutch cable, and
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With all those parts loose or disconnected, it was time to get under the VW. Scott removed
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Scott pulled the center caps off the Scirocco’s wheels and removed the axle nuts, loo
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It’s tough to draft hard-and-fast procedures for older cars, Scott told us, because s
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Rather than using a hoist to support the engine when the transmission comes out, VW Specia
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The car was lifted again, the last bolt was removed, and the transmission was pulled out.
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Unlike traditional clutch setups, where the flywheel is bolted directly to the crankshaft,
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Scott used a screwdriver to pop off the snap ring that held the release plate to the press
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Scott noticed a fair amount of oil around the end of the crank, so he decided to replace w
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Here’s the Sachs Power Clutch kit as it came out of the box. The release plate and sn
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Scott set the pressure plate on the crankshaft and installed the new crank bolts. If you c
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After Scott put the release plate and snap ring on the pressure plate, he test-fitted the
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Before remounting the transmission, Scott thoroughly cleaned the input shaft splines. Any
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Then it was time to reinstall the transmission. Again, an extra pair of hands really helps
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The swap’s final steps consist of reassembling and reconnecting what had been taken
If youve built a killer motor for your car, or if you drag race or autocross, you probably already know that a beefy clutch is necessary to handle all the stress that increased torque and harsh driving conditions place on your driveline.
But lets say you dont have, or do, any of the above. What if you own an older car, like an A1 GTI or Scirocco, that, at least for now, is just a daily driver? When time and cash permit, you plan to make some mods, but until you hit the Lotto youre making due. Are you still a candidate for a new clutch?
You very well could be. Putting a new clutch in your car is nowhere near as sexy as a cold-air intake, strut tower brace, or some other, more visible, component. But a new clutch could have more of an effect on your cars performance than any number of bolt-ons. Remember that the clutch provides the link between your engines crankshaft and transmission. If that link is weak, its going to have problems sending all of the engines power to the tranny and, ultimately, the driving wheels. The last thing you need in a car with an old, stock motor is a drain on already precious power.
How can you tell if you need a new clutch? Typically, a stock clutch will last anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000 miles, though that number can drop drastically, depending on your driving habits. Do you ride the clutch? Treat every stoplight like a dragstrip Christmas Tree? Well, a VW with a VR6 or G60 may go through clutches faster than a stock four-banger. So, watch the clock. And certainly, if youre experiencing any slipping or hesitation when letting out the left pedal, its time for a new clutch.
When shopping for a replacement clutch, be sure to do some homework and match the clutch to your particular application. If youve got an older, basically stock car, like the 83 Scirocco here, then theres no need for you to spend the coin on a double-throw-down racing clutch with Kevlar plates and clamping forces that could smash atoms. Youll do fine with a more reasonably priced clutch, like the Sachs Power Clutch we got from NOPI. Unlike a sport or racing clutch that can set you back $300 or more, this upgrade kit retails for way less than $100 and features all-new (not remanufactured) parts, a one-piece cover assembly, Raybestos-supplied organic friction material on the clutch disc, and diaphragm springs strong enough to generate a 15- to 21-percent increase in clamping loads over a stock clutch.
The stronger clamping loads will give you crisper engagement and can withstand all sorts of sporty driving punishment. In fact, a number of these units are being used in driving schools across the country, according to Sachs. Yet the springs arent so strong as to exhibit the harsh, on/off engagement found with some competition-oriented clutches.
If youre on a really tight budget, you may be thinking about installing the clutch yourself. Before you make that decision, take a close look at the procedure shown here. This was done by professional Scott Wood at VW Specialties in Huntington Beach, California, who had the advantages of a lot of experience, a hoist, and a full tool roll-away that included the one or two specialized tools needed to get the job done. This installation requires removing the transmission from the engine, which in itself meant disconnecting and removing a lot of stuff, including the axles. It took Scott a full three hours to complete the swap. If youre not comfortable with doing major engine work and you dont have the means of lifting the car to get the tranny out from under it, consider professional installation. The $200 to $250 (which is what VW Specialties charges for this kind of job) may be money well spent.